Summer Catch-up Post

This summer was a whirlwind of travel, music, and friends. The only complaint I have is that it went by too quickly!!

When we weren't traveling, I was making up patients. Not much time for anything but cleaning up and re-packing. I didn't get any time to blog but thanks to Facebook posts, I can catch up.

The MidAtlantic Fleadh was held late this year. Haley spent her 14th birthday playing tunes with friends the night before competitions. Her friend, Keegan, baked her a delicious cake! The next day Haley took 1st in Under 15 solo fiddle and fiddle slow airs then Sunday she and Keegan took 2nd in Under 18 duets. Keegan was ill so they did not get to compete in the trio competition they had planned with John Whelan.

Haley with her trophies.

Great Fleadh session!!

After the Fleadh weekend, I worked 1.5 days then Haley and I flew to Ashland, Oregon. 

Back in February, Haley was invited by Bill Whelan to perform some of his Riverdance compositions  and compositions by Johan DeMeij with a wind orchestra at a summer college called American Band College. They flew us out, put us up in a hotel, and Haley spent a couple days in rehearsals before the parade and show for the town on July 4th complete with fireworks.

Haley was excited to see former Studio2Stage choreographer Chris was dancing for the show!

She was honored to meet and play with these musicians from Portland and Seattle.

Composer Johan DeMeij conducted the orchestra. He was wonderful to work with- very positive and encouraging!

The morning after the concert, Haley and I flew home. We had two days to wash clothes and re-pack plus I worked eight hours both days then it was time to head to North Carolina for Swannanoa Gathering. On our way, we stopped for a couple days to see Haley's bluegrass fiddler friend, Kitty. We've had a visit each year for the past three years. Haley loves to spend time with Kitty because they  have a lot in common and enjoy each other's company. Kitty invited Haley to join her Old Time band for a local dance. Haley learned the tunes during an afternoon band rehearsal then played along that evening.

Haley and Kitty playing some gypsy jazz together.

Old Time dance in Virginia.

Haley and Kitty

Dylan's band, Poor Man's Gambit, had gigs so we were to pick him up at the airport in Asheville, NC when we arrived. This year at Swannanoa Gathering Dylan volunteered with the sound engineer and Haley volunteered as a "fiddle slave" for Alan's guitar and session classes. At the Welcome meeting the first night of camp, Haley was thrilled when Liz Carroll suggested they perform the "Conn" tunes they wrote for each other at the staff concert on Monday night. (Last year, while sitting on the wall at a huge session, Liz kept asking "Who has the conn?" to find out who was starting the next tune set. Haley thought that was funny and Liz and Haley decided to write tunes about it. Liz sent Haley a tune called "Who Has the Conn?" and Haley wrote back a tune called, "I Have the Conn.") 

It was probably the highlight of Haley's year to be able to perform her own composition with Liz Carroll and John Doyle!!

Swannanoa was amazing as always! There were concerts and sessions galore. Haley and I enjoyed evenings in the staff house listening to stories of concerts and life as a musician.

Fiddle vs. Flute

 Haley found herself in a "strange" situation as a fiddler who decided Kevin's class sounded way too fun to miss. She bought a flute last year and took his flute class this year. When "war" broke out between the flutilla and fiddles, she was a double agent.

Kevin and Haley sporting their flotilla shirts.

Haley with her guitar master, Alan.

Haley and Dylan performed their own compositions at the student showcase.

Swannanoa is a home coming and the people there are family to us. We have known many of the people there for years and they have watched Haley grow up. Each year we meet new friends as well. Because the kids were doing their own volunteer work this year, I had a relaxing week of free time. I read books, took walks, and listened to lots of music! It was wonderful to not drive for a week!!

The weekend after Swannanoa, Haley and Dylan had Studio2Stage. I had my own work to do running errands for the camp but I stayed with our friends, Mike and Norine, while Haley and Dylan stayed on campus. Each day I was given my assignments and at some point during the day, I was able to peek in on the kids or bring them good food.

Haley is right in the middle of the back row on that poster!

Haley and Dylan taking a break during a long rehearsal.

The band minus Anton.

The dancers and musicians worked hard all week putting together a full-scale dance show production.  The musicians wrote a new song...Adam wrote the lyrics and the others composed the music. They arranged a new band set that included some new compositions as well. Haley also had fun doing some v-logging for the musicians during the week. 

Thursday night was Oscar's Night. 

Haley photo-bombing the boys.

The musicians all cleaned up and looking glamorous!

On Friday morning the entire camp traveled into New York City to do a dance flash mob in Times Square. It was raining in the morning but by the time we got off the subway in the city, the sun was shining and their number went off without a hitch.

Haley and Gerlisa

S2S photo op with the naked cowboy.

Musicians

Haley and Sully waiting for the dancing to begin.

On Sunday, they performed two shows. Everyone did an awesome job! 

The band from behind the screen.

Pre-show band photo

Haley and Gerlisa...two beauties!

Haley and her roomie, Emily!

 The next four photos were taken by Matt Ferrara (@sugarysweetmachines.com) during the show...

The weekend after Studio2Stage we had a small fundraiser for Haley and Keegan's trip to Ireland for the All Ireland Fleadh. We are so grateful for the South Jersey and Philly area Irish community for their help in getting these kids of ours to Ireland. Ed and Bonnie Quigley organized the venue and the help. John and Jackie Kelly organized the chance auction. There were too many others helping with food, decorating, and dancing to name everyone without worrying about forgetting someone important...Thank you!!!

A week later it was off to Ireland for us. Keegan, Lynette, Haley, and I traveled together. We flew into Shannon for the first time. At the airport in Philly, our flight was delayed but amazingly, Billy and Annie McComisky were on our flight and Billy, Haley, and Keegan played tunes in the airport while we waited...great way to begin a trip to Ireland!! 

We were very blessed to have Bob Singer open his home to us. He has a nice little cottage right on the ocean at Caharrush Point. What an amazing view! Around that ledge out there are the Cliffs of Moher.

We spent our first day catching up on sleep after our sleepless night flying then Haley and Bob had some tunes in his home while the young artists, Iva and Teresa, from the Czech Republic drew. That evening Bob took us to a session in a tiny little pub.

Photo by Bob Singer.

Photo by Bob Singer

The next day we went off to Ennis to have a look around, get forms we needed for competition day, and have the kids play some music.

Busking on the streets of Ennis.

Ennis!!!

Competition Friday was very busy! Haley had solo fiddle and duets with Keegan at the same time. She and Keegan were supposed to go 7th but since no one was in the room when the competition began, except them, they ended up playing 1st. Then Haley went back to the room for fiddle thinking she could watch for awhile before playing (she was supposed to be 13th) but they called her name as soon as she walked in the room because no one was in there either. She played 2nd or 3rd. She had the same thing happen right after solo fiddle. Everyone was in the room for the results of fiddle then they all left. She stayed because she wanted to listen to all the slow airs. She was supposed to go 15th but ended up having to go 1st in there as well. She played amazingly well and she took 2nd in both Under 15 solo fiddle and slow airs!! She and Keegan didn't place but played their best. Happy day!

Haley all alone in fiddle slow air competition...thanks to Bob Singer for photo.

The next day, Saturday, we watched Keegan compete then sat through the Under 18 solo fiddle. There was some wonderful fiddling and Haley's friend, Patrick, from Georgia placed 1st and her friend, Senan, took 3rd. Saturday night, Haley was super-excited to get to play a session with Colin Farrell. She had missed him at Swannanoa this year. It took a bit of work as the first few pubs we tried to get into were jammed full of people but they eventually found a place to play. The next morning Colin messaged Haley for another quick session before he left Ennis! We met up with our virtual friends, Caitriona and her mother, Roisin, and made the friends in real life!

Haley and Keegan were recorded playing for Fleadh TV on Sunday.

That evening we went back to Miltown Malbay for a session at Friel's Pub. Haley thought it hilarious to find out that she went all the way to Miltown Malbay in Ireland and Cherish the Ladies were the hosts of the session. The music was great and Haley knew all the tunes that way. She didn't want to leave so it was a late night.

Monday morning we left Bob and Caharrush Point. Haley and Keegan spent the morning recording for Clare FM radio with Andy Lamy and friends then we drove to visit friends of Keegan and Lynette for our last few days. It was nice to get away from the bustle (and rain) of Ennis.

Tuesday we drove into Killaloe. What a beautiful town!!

Best pub meal ever in this place!!

 Wednesday morning it was off to Shannon airport and back to the USA for us!! Also an end to our travels...for a couple months at least. (wink, wink)

Catching Up…

Before life gets really hectic for the next five weeks, I thought I would catch up on the things that have been going on around here.

I don't often get a photo of my oldest son but since he was headed to his girlfriend's prom, I was afforded that opportunity. So here he is looking handsome with his beautiful girlfriend and prom-date, Madysen.

 Dylan has been festival-hopping and recording a CD with his band Poor Man's Gambit and in his spare time, gigging with Haley or Haley and Keegan. They did a house concert to help fundraise for our trip to Ireland in a couple months. It was a "double-header" house concert with the Kane Sisters playing a set, followed by a delicious gourmet dinner, then Haley, Dylan, and Keegan for a set, ending with a session.

Haley did her first ever Scottish ceili…

During a local film festival, she played at a screening of a short documentary film she was interviewed for by a friend's son who is a very talented young film maker headed off to college in the fall…

This past weekend, she and I headed up to New York. Friday we shopped 'til we dropped. Haley always likes to save up her money for a few months then do a NYC shopping trip for her "birthday." We also had an appointment to meet with someone at NYU to learn about the Mick Moloney Irish Collection housed there. Unfortunately the floor housing the collection is currently under construction but Haley received some tips for researching online and we will go back to view some items later this summer.

Haley searching for the best place to eat lunch.

Saturday she had a fiddle lesson then a house party/session at her fiddle teacher's home. She said it was most fun she's had in awhile. She played until late into the evening. She and her accordion buddy, John Whelan, were the last ones playing….

Sunday we drove back south to Philly to see Riverdance. Haley knew a number of the dancers and the fiddler and had a lot of fun watching them do their thing. We met them at the stage door after the show.

Haley with Pat and Natia Mangan and the other Russion dancers.

After the show, we walked back to Old City for dinner and a session at The Plough and the Stars. Pat and Natia joined us for some tunes for awhile, the entire McGillian family was in attendance, and my friend Maria and her sons stopped by to listen and talk so it was great fun!!

Healthy Zucchini Bread Recipe

I know…months of no new posts and I chose to post a recipe??!?

There has been so much going on in our lives, I simply haven't had time to even think about blogging. We've traveled to different places, made new friends, gotten together with old friends, and lived life mostly on the road. The kids have had some awesome gigs in places like Northeast PA and Augusta, GA in neat smaller venues with great, appreciative audiences. I posted some videos on my youtube page of them playing recently. Here's one but you can go to youtube to find a few more.

Dylan has barely been living at home. He comes home only for a few days during the week but spends most of his weekends in Allentown doing gigs with his band, Poor Man's Gambit. He is loving life and playing the ends of his fingers off!

Haley and I have been trying to eat healthier (except for dark chocolate which I cannot turn down) and I love zucchini bread and had some at my friend, Lynette's house yesterday morning which reminded me of zucchini sitting in my refrigerator. So I took a recipe I had and substituted most of the things that weren't so great for me. It came out moist and delicious so I am going to share.

Healthy Zucchini Bread
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly grease bottoms only of two loaf pans (I used coconut oil).
Mix together:
3 1/2 cups shredded zucchini (leave on the skin)
1 cup shredded carrots
2/3 cup dark brown sugar
1 cup honey
2 Tbsp coconut oil
4 large eggs

Add:
2 cups whole wheat flour
1 cup coconut flour
1 Tbsp chia seeds
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp baking powder

Pour into prepared loaf pans. Can top with...
Topping: 1/2 cup oats, 1/4 cup turbinado sugar, 1/2 tsp cinnamon   (Press lightly into top of each.)

Cook 60-65 min or until top feel springy to touch not mushy.

I may mess around with different flours like almond flour to see if I can get a nice texture of gluten-free zucchini bread for my friends. I will also add 1/2 cup chopped walnuts to the mix…just didn't have any today. You can try adding some raisins, craisins, or other types of nuts as well.

March Madness 2016

March is the best month to be an Irish musician! St. Patrick's Day brings out the Irish in everyone. This year, both Haley and Dylan had a full calendar of events with everything from small performances at a school or nursing home to huge concerts with well over 1200 people attending.

Here's a quick summary of our March fun!

The first weekend of March, Dylan headed off for a weekend long festival in West Virginia with his band, Poor Man's Gambit. They played five shows and Dylan taught a Irish guitar workshop. It was his first group teaching experience and he received a nice note afterward from one of his "students" saying how much he enjoyed the class and that he learned a lot.

A few weeks before Dylan's trip, I had to do some quick thinking and juggling because he was supposed to perform with Haley that Saturday night at the local community college. I remembered Haley's buddy, John Whelan, was performing close to us the night before so asked if he'd mind staying over and helping Haley out with the performance. He agreed!  The concert was an "onstage" concert where they had the musicians with the audience onstage sitting on chairs in bleachers around them with a house concert-like vibe. The two of them had a blast working out a set list Saturday afternoon then performing it that night. They always sound great together!

Afterward Haley went out to meet the audience and autograph CDs. The little guy below was so enthusiastic throughout the concert, clapping and dancing in his seat!

That Sunday, Haley was part of a recording project with other Philadelphia area Irish musician then we made a mad dash back across the bridge where she performed for an area nursing home. The next two days were spent working on completing a recording of Miss Kathy's second audiobook project Bugaboo Bee's Bop with Haley doing the music and sound effects on her fiddle. The book and audiobook will be released on April 4th.

On Wednesday March 9th, we all piled in a stuffed full car with Keegan and his mom, Lynette, for the drive to Long Island to begin a mini-tour. Méara Meara had four gigs in two days out on the end of Long Island all arranged by our friend, Kira McLaughlin, who was also kind enough to put us up and feed us.

We were up bright and early Thursday morning for a gig at the middle school where Kira is librarian, Pierson Middle School in Sag Harbor, NY. Haley worked with the school strings students on a tune she had sent them previously to help them make the tune sound "Irish." (They will be performing the tune as part of their spring concert.) Afterward we took a walk around Sag Harbor then later went back to the school where the band performed a concert and answered questions for all the middle school students.

That night they joined more musicians to perform for the residents of beautiful Peconic Landing. 

Friday morning, Haley, Dylan, and Keegan were part of a group performing for the workers at  Southampton Hospital. They performed during lunch in the cafeteria. After the hospital, Haley and I took a walk with Kira on the beach looking for sea glass while Lynette and the boys stayed back at the house to rest and catch up on school work.

Then we took the ferry over to Shelter Island where they performed for a full house at Shelter Island Presbyterian Church. 

Saturday morning Haley, Dylan, and I were up very early to catch the 7am ferry over to Connecticut then we drove up to Burlington, VT for the next leg of the tour in VT. Haley and Dylan had been looking forward to going to Burlington, VT because they were teaming up with Studio2Stage vocalist Gerlisa for the gig and they hadn't seen her since last summer! We met with Gerlisa shortly after arriving and they worked out their set, mixing songs and tune sets with a little dancing by Gerlisa. We checked into our hotel and settled our luggage then it was time to head over to the venue. The concert was a fundraiser to send the Young Traditions Vermont group to Ireland next month. Haley, Dylan, and Gerlisa performed in the first half then the Young Traditions Vermont Performance group performed. Everyone did a great job and it was an enjoyable concert.

The next morning we took a walk around Burlington to see the shops and Lake Champlain then had some lunch at The Skinny Pancake where they had a Bluegrass band playing live. We then drove to Montpelier where Haley and Dylan performed a house concert hosted by Donna and John, two wonderful people with the cutest pups! There was a nice crowd with a number of young people attending. We had fun talking to and meeting people after the concert then we went to the small cottage in their backyard for the night. (Dylan wants one.)

Monday was an early morning followed by a meet-up with Mark from Young Traditions Vermont then a drive to do two different school programs. The first was at Randolph Elementary School where they played and talked to a gym full of kids and the other at Braintree Elementary, a much smaller school, where after the concert, Haley sat with the 5th and 6th grade girls and Dylan sat with the boys for interviews. They students came up with some great questions and follow-ups and they had some nice discussion…the students will write up their interviews for a class assignment.

After the school programs, we drove through snow to Boston…if you've read about any of our other trips to Vermont, you would know we have not yet been to Vermont without snow involved. We drove straight to the North End, looking forward to home-made pasta at our favorite Italian restaurant. We were not disappointed!  After dinner we drove to Haley and my "home" for the next week with the Coyne family. They are an awesome family of musicians and it was nice to spend some time with them and get to know them better. There were tunes before bed.

Tuesday we sent Dylan on an Uber to the airport where he flew home for five days of gigs with his band Poor Man's Gambit. Haley and I hung out for the day…did a little shopping and spent some time at the Boston Science Museum where we enjoyed the butterfly garden, a talk about astronauts, and a movie about dinosaurs in the huge theater.

Butterfly photos courtesy of Haley…

Wednesday was a very long day of rehearsals for the show A St. Patrick's Day Celtic Sojourn. Haley loved every minute of it. They started at 10am and, I think, we left some time after 5pm. They worked out the show order, multiple different collaborations, and ran through everything until it was ready for tomorrow's performance.

The show ran Thursday night in Worcester, Friday night in New Bedford, two shows on Saturday in Cambridge, and the final show Sunday afternoon in Cambridge. We had a blast! The show was awesome! There were little surprises (the dancer in the green dress for instance), lots of silliness, and instant friendships! The show host and his wife were amazing, the music director was on top of everything, the musicians were all wonderful, and the dancers were fabulous! I never get tired of seeing Haley collaborating with other musicians and sharing her music with an audience. She is completely at ease and her love of the music and fun she is having are so evident! She amazes me!

The photos below are from sound checks...

Haley starting the show.

Irish traditional music…session band.

It will be an experience Haley will never forget!!